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Do we really need high-end basses with intricate active electronics?

I think we should all think alike. Just think like me, and everything will be alright for you.
:):laugh::thumbsup::roflmao:
Jimmy that is exactly the attitude my dear old dad took, everyone was entitled to their own opinion as long as it was exactly the same as his otherwise you were wrong, there was no arguing the point you were wrong and that was it. I very soon learned not to mention certain subjects, race, religion, and politics in particular.
 
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I can't believe how some people are reacting to the original post. Seems like an interesting topic but somehow it's offended a few people. Can't seehow personally. Sorry am I trolling?

The fact that we see posts like this on a more than regular bassis (catch that?...;)) has as much to do with the groan factor as the "why do you need XXX" nature of the post.
 
Tip, it's always a good idea not to play psychologist when reading posts in forums written by strangers you've never met who you couldn't possibly be able to read with any accuracy.
Tip, on the Internet, if you ask for feedback don't be surprised if you don't like the feedback you get. And I don't need to be a psychologist to identify passive aggressive behavior. ;)
 
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Tip, it's always a good idea not to play psychologist when reading posts in forums written by strangers you've never met who you couldn't possibly be able to read with any accuracy.
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Free tip number 2, if you have doubts about TB members' reading capability then maybe you should make sure to be very accurate in how you write. If a receiver does not interpret a message the way the sender intended it, the problem is not always with the receiver. There can also be a problem with the sender's wording of the message.

From what and how you write I think there is no problem interpreting what you think of the other "we", who don't conform to your idea of what bass playing and bass players should be, and "have no business in the game".

Anyway, if you think it's fruitful to worry about how and with what gear others make music, please go ahead and waste all the time you want, personally I'm not going to lose sleep over your or any other players' choices. ;)
 
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WRT to the original post, I find the exact opposite to be true. My two favorite basses are a Geddy Lee Jazz and a Wal. Opposite ends of the spectrum. The Wal is far more honest and revealing whereas the Jazz is more forgiving. Poor playing in this case is exacerbated by distinctive electronics.
 
Every week there is a "justify what I/you/we play" thread. I don't get it.

Having said that FWIW, all my basses are active because that is what I like.
 
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Well, it depends on who "we" are.
We the people?
We...meaning all of us?
We traditional bassists?
We modern bassists?
Or "we" who don't really care what "they" think or say?

Damn, the more I write "we" it doesn't even look like a real word.
As a matter of fact, I've always tried my best not to be part of we.
 
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1. If you play a SUB Sterling next to an authentic MusicMan Sterling, you see where the extra $1,000 went pretty darn quickly. Not to say the SUB is a bad bass; one simply notices the finer components and attention to detail on the $1,400 model.

2. Active electronics in bass guitars have been around since the 1970's (if not before). People have been making all kinds of fantastic music with them since. I would argue that 98/100 songs written for a full band (i.e. one with a bass guitar) have, at one time or another, been performed or recorded by an ensemble in which the bassist is using active electronics. And the world keeps turning.
 
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99% of times I adjust the EQ in response to a pickup pan adjustment - trying to even things out or accentuate/cut in certain areas.

This probably isn't particularly relevant to the silly topic of this thread, but I really like this statement. It describes fairly accurately what for me is one of the key advantages to an active bass. If you use your pickup blend as your primary midrange control (which, IMO, is what a 2-band EQ is perfectly adequate in many situations), then you can use the bass control to compensate for any change in the low end caused by moving the blend knob. This leaves the treble control to adjust your presence in the mix.

This is by far not the only valid approach to using a bass's active electronics, but it is a very practical and simple approach to getting a variety of tones in a way that won't drive your soundman crazy. IMO.
 
This probably isn't particularly relevant to the silly topic of this thread, but I really like this statement. It describes fairly accurately what for me is one of the key advantages to an active bass. If you use your pickup blend as your primary midrange control (which, IMO, is what a 2-band EQ is perfectly adequate in many situations), then you can use the bass control to compensate for any change in the low end caused by moving the blend knob. This leaves the treble control to adjust your presence in the mix.

This is by far not the only valid approach to using a bass's active electronics, but it is a very practical and simple approach to getting a variety of tones in a way that won't drive your soundman crazy. IMO.
And with that, I vote to close this thread!
Nice and simple description of the practical use of all those damn knobs. Thanks.

Now, do we really need basses with switches, or 5 strings?........ Stop, nobody answer that.
 
Eh. .. any electric bassist pretending they aren't relying on electronic s is being ignorant, willingly or otherwise.

The second part.. Think of it this way if you hone your technique to a masterful level and truly hone your musicianship, do you think that you would be pleased with a Squier Bronco in a Fender rumble? that's fine for plenty of people and I am NOT knocking any style of music, but there are plenty of scenes styles and schools of thought of playing that require tonal subtlety as part of the aesthetic .

Another thing to consider is that on board based electronics have typically have very different goals and approaches than EQ other places in the signal chain, not to mention that setting your starting tone before it leaves the instrument has an impact on downstream Headroom is that in some cases is better than say a pedal Eq
 
This probably isn't particularly relevant to the silly topic of this thread, but I really like this statement. It describes fairly accurately what for me is one of the key advantages to an active bass.
You know, I had the same reaction when I read that. Pretty much describes how I use active EQ on my jazz bass, and what active EQ brings to the table. I vote JazznFunk winner of this thread. :thumbsup: